The Grenada gazette., 1887-09-24

REUNION OF THE GALLANT 18th
Big Crowd, q Big Dinner and A Biz
Time-"Arch's" Report OF the DC.
casi0n.
OnThursday morning the 18th inst,
at $3.50 o'clock, we, in company with
about one hundred and twenty-five
people(including a number OF ladies).
from Grenada. steamed out for the
little city of Duck Hill to attend the
reunion Of the 18th Mississippi
Regiment, and after On hours ride
arrived at our destination, where
We we're met by vast crowd Of peo-
pie amidst marshaled strains of music
from the Duck Hill cornet band.
At II o'clock the multitude mum
bering about 1000 psrsons) assembled
In the grove few hundred yards
east OF the town, where stands, seats,
etc., had been erected to accommo-
date both speakers and hearers, The
regiment was called to order by Col.
j. r. Rinford, who was Colonel of
the 18th, There were about one
hundred and twenty-five members
present from different counties. After
explaining the objects of the meeting
Col. Binford introduced DR.. T. r.
Trotter, of Duck Hill, who delivered
an address of welcome which was
replete with pathos, eloquenoe, etc.
Col. Binford then stated that Gen.
Walthall would respond to the ad-
dress on behalf of the regiment. 1t
Is useless for us to try and picture
what followed. His speech was most
magnificent, and was full of touch
ing scenes and incidents of the war.
The tributes he paid to Lee, Davis,
Jackson and other distinguished ex-
Confederates We're grand. Especially
were his illusions to Jefferson
Davis eloquent. As he proceeded
his soul seemed to catch the inspira-
tion, and such words are seldom
heard TO issue from any mortal's lips.
In speaking Of the martyred Lee, he
said 1t was his misfortune to have
never beheld this illustrious soldier
and man, but that from pictures por.
trayed to him by those who had, he
was ready to second England's great
soldier, and say that he was one of the
grandest soldiers and men ever pro-
duced by this world. He paid glow
ing tributes to others, and also to the
gallant old 18th.
After a few more speeches by other
gentlemen, dinner was announced,
and it was one of the most toothsome
repasts we ever indulged in. There
was barbecued meats of yariouskinds,
pies, cakes, and other daintles, and,
yes, chicken pies, regular old-fash-
ioned, country ones, too; and in fact
everything to suit the appetite Of the
inner-man.
After dinner the Winona Rifles
entertained the crowd by drilling,
marching, firing, etc., andthey exc
cuted the different coinhAahds very
well. That evening they had a COM
petitive drill for a gold medal, which
was won by Mr.. Blackston.
At3 o'clock the regiment was ad-
journed to meet ut Kosciusko in Oc-
tober, 1883, and thus closes another
reunion Of the 18th. Year by year
their ranks are being thinned, and
soon but a few tottering old men W II
be left to attend these celebrations.
That night there were dance and
sociable in the city, and after due
contemplation ye scribe concluded to
attend the latter which he did. 1t
was at the residence of Mrs. Morgan,
and her charming daughter, Miss
Annie, acted as hostess with what
success could DO scon by the enjoy
ment Of the large crowd present.
After couple of hours most pleas
antly spent in company with some
Of Duck Hills fairest daughters and
sons, the whistle of the
Incoming train reminded us Of; the
painful necessity Of saying goodbye,
and at lO:l5 the throttle Of the "iron-
horse" was thrown open and we were
soon on our homeward way, bearing
with US many sweet and tender rec
,llections-that will be treasured up
IN our memory-of the day, and we
would like so we'll to speak the
thoughts our heart feels for the good
people Of Duck Hill. "ARCH."
The County Alliance was in ses-
zion last Friday, and large number
II our leading farmers were in atten.
lance. The growth of this organiya-